February 4 Events

Rosa Parks Day in California and Missouri

The courage and conviction of Rosa Parks laid the foundation for equal rights for all Americans and for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Rosa Parks was born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama, the first child of James and Leona (Edwards) McCauley.

She was arrested on December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man, and her stand for equal rights became legendary. The busses in 1950’s Montgomery were segregated by a law from 1900. Hear arrest for refusing to comply with Montgomery’s segregation law was the impetus for a boycott of Montgomery buses, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by approximately 42,000 African Americans for 381 days.

Rosa Parks is honored as the "Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement," because her refusal to surrender her seat in compliance with Montgomery’s segregation law inspired the civil rights movement, which has resulted in the breakdown of numerous legal barriers and the lessening of profound discrimination against African Americans in USA. She has dedicated her life to the cause of human rights and truly embodies the love of humanity and freedom.

Rosa Parks Day is an American holiday currently observed in the states of California, Missouri (February 4), Oregon and Ohio (December 1). Rosa Parks Day was created by the California State Legislature and first celebrated February 4, 2000 (BILL NUMBER: ACR 116. JANUARY 31, 2000). The holiday was first designated in the U.S. state of Ohio championed by Joyce Beatty, advocate who helped Ohio’s legislation pass to honor the late leader (ORC 5.2231. 04-14-2006). In 2015, Missouri has declared Rosa Parks Day a legal holiday.